During a recent Bandai Namco Entertainment Exclusive Hands-On Media Preview, we spent an hour with Tales of Graces f Remastered on PS5, experiencing how this 2009 JRPG has evolved through its remastered edition – and we’re excited to see how this beloved classic will resonate with both new and returning players.

The remaster brings several notable enhancements to modernize the experience. The most striking improvement is the smooth 60 FPS performance, which significantly enhances the combat animations. The Style Shift Linear Motion Battle System remains impressively sophisticated, featuring two distinct battle styles – Artes and Burst – that allow players to refine their combat approach. The system rewards skillful timing: well-executed evades restore a portion of your CC (Chain Capacity), enabling extended combos or decisive counterattacks.

The combat diversity shines through each character’s unique fighting style. Asbel excels with his swordsmanship, Sophie dominates in close-quarters combat, Cheria combines assassination techniques with healing abilities, while Malik and Pascal provide crucial ranged support. This variety in combat roles keeps battles engaging and tactical.

Modern Quality-of-Life Features

The remaster introduces valuable quality-of-life improvements for modern players. A new quest marker system streamlines navigation – a welcome addition to the original’s traditional exploration. Players can now switch between Japanese and English voice acting, a feature previously unavailable. The preservation of original voice acting for pre-DLC content maintains authenticity while offering choice. Additional conveniences include options to skip cutscenes and toggle enemy encounters, features that respect players’ time without compromising the core experience.

Legacy and Content

Tales of Graces f Remastered comes complete with all previously released DLC and the Lineage and Legacies epilogue, which continues the story six months after the main campaign. Set on the planet Ephinea, the narrative follows Asbel, Richard, and the mysterious Sophie as their childhood promise becomes intertwined with political conflict and world-altering threats. The game retains its charm through abundant character interactions, featuring numerous skits and banter that help build the world and develop relationships between characters.

While the remaster retains the measured pacing and exploration style characteristic of classic JRPGs, the refined combat system and deep character progression – featuring over 100 equipable titles to develop through battle – demonstrate remarkable staying power. Fans of traditional JRPGs will find this enhanced version of a Tales classic both nostalgic and refreshing.

What’s particularly impressive about Tales of Graces f is how its core design holds up after nearly 15 years. While the exploration and story pacing may feel deliberate compared to modern standards, the combat system’s depth rivals contemporary action RPGs. The remaster’s technical improvements, particularly the 60 FPS upgrade, serve to highlight the sophistication of the original combat design rather than mask its age. For players who appreciate classic JRPG sensibilities but desire modern performance standards, this remaster strikes an appealing balance.